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Does My Baby Need Vitamins?

Some of us have always been vitamins/supplements fans — but many of us first became introduced to the concept of nutritional supplementation when we became pregnant. After all, the first thing your OB/GYN says to you after “congratulations” usually is, “Start taking those prenatal vitamins–now!” Once baby arrives, you might be wondering whether vitamins would be beneficial for her, too.

Here are a few reasons why you might consider adding vitamins or supplements to your baby’s daily routine:

1. Because you’re breastfeeding.It’s absolutely true that there’s no more “perfect” nutrition than breastmilk, but many pediatricians recommend a drop of vitamin D for baby every day because this is one vitamin many women are short on. Vitacost Baby-D‘s is an economical, baby-friendly liquid that delivers 400 IU of vitamin D3 per drop.

2. Because you’re formula-feeding.Any USDA-approved iron-fortified formulais going to have the bare minimum of vitamins and minerals babies need to be healthy, but if you’re not nursing, you might want to add a DHA supplement to make sure your baby is getting an adequate amount of omega-3 to promote healthy brain development. DHA occurs naturally in breastmilk and is added into many infant formulas. If it’s not in the kind you’re feeding baby, or you want to ensure adequate consumption, supplementation might be a good idea.

3. Because your baby or toddler won’t eat his peas.If your little one isn’t eating everything you place in front of him, trust me — you’re not alone! If you’re worried that all of those spit out peas (or spit up milk) might mean not enough nutrients are making their way to baby’s body, a high-quality multi-vitamin can give you peace of mind. Vitacost InfantHealth Multi-Vitamin Drops contain NO artificial flavors and are very easy to administer with a dropper applicator.

4. Because your baby is on antibiotics.Many pediatricians recommend a probiotic for babies or toddlers who are taking antibiotics. Your best bet is to use an infant-specific formula like Udo’s Choice Infant’s Probiotic. This product also is a great choice if you’re opting for a probiotic simply to promote better digestive health; we all know that nothing is worse than a little baby with an upset tummy!

Of course, it’s always a good idea to run these choices by your pediatrician before you crowd up your baby’s medicine cabinet. But unless your doctor says otherwise, there’s no reason why the health benefits of vitamins and supplements can’t be something both you and your child enjoy!

Jorie Mark is Vitacost.com’s Director of Marketing Communications and mother to three children, ages 3 to 10.